LeAnn Rimes
8 p.m. Thursday. State Theatre, 609 Congress St., Portland, $49.50 to $69.50. statetheatreportland.com
When she was 13 years old, singer-songwriter LeAnn Rimes struck gold with the Grammy-winning single “Blue,” a cover of the late ’50s country tune penned by Bill Mack. Since then, Rimes has sold millions of records and won several awards. Her recording of “How Do I Live” was another mega hit, and over the course of her career, Rimes, now 40, has released 18 albums that cross into a number of genres, particularly country, all led by her formidable singing voice.
James Montgomery
8 p.m. Friday. One Longfellow Square, 181 State St., Portland, $30 in advance, $40 day of show. onelongfellowsquare.com
For more than five decades, James Montgomery has been slinging the blues as a singer, harmonica player and bandleader. He and his band have toured with Aerosmith, The J. Geils Band, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen and the The Allman Brothers, among others. His debut album, “First Time Out,” was released in 1973, and several have followed. Montgomery was inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame in 2018, and three years later, the New England Music Hall of Fame. Come hear what all the fuss is about on Friday.
Buffalo Nichols
8 p.m. Friday. Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dugway Road, Brownfield, $30. stonemountainartscenter.com
7:30 p.m. Saturday. Strand Theatre, 345 Main St., Rockland, $18 in advance, $21 day of show. rocklandstrand.com
Carl “Buffalo” Nichols is a blues guitarist, singer and songwriter who was born in Houston and raised in Milwaukee’s North End neighborhood, where he started playing guitar at a young age. Last year, his debut album was released, and the blues/roots/folk sound goes down easy on songs like “Lost & Lonesome” and “These Things.” You’ve got two chances to see him in Maine this week, so pick a show and get ready to be mightily impressed.
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